Introduction to Chemistry 102
Welcome!
Students in this course come from diverse academic backgrounds. This is the the first chemistry course
for most science and engineering students. Many other units in the University require students to take
CHEM 102 as their only chemistry course. This is because chemistry is the central science. It has
applications in all of the other sciences, in medicine, in engineering, and in agriculture.
All sections of CHEM 102 cover the same concepts: the structure of atoms and molecules, chemical
reactions and stoichiometry, energy changes and thermodynamics, gases, and solutions. The order of
topics and the exact format of presentation
will vary from one section of the course to
the next. In the links below you will learn
more about this section (GL1).
Outline
•
Compass Page
•
Requirements and Grading
•
Pretest
You will need
a textbook as a reference to the chemistry concepts but you are not required
to buy a specific one. Zumdahl's "Chemistry" 8th edition is available in the
Illini Union Bookstore. You can also use the 7th edition of the text (much
cheaper from online book sellers!). Luckily, chemical principles haven't
changed between publication of these two editions.
We will use Illinois Compass as the central site for course resources. This includes announcements, online
homework questions, a discussion board, and grades. You can link to lecture material either from
Compass or directly to the website on the chemistry server (http://butane.chem.uiuc.edu/pshapley/
GenChem1/).
Log In
When you go online to the Illinois Compass site, you will first visit the log-in page.
You will type in your netID (before the "@illinois.edu" in your student email address) and your password
into the boxes. Note that Compass is unavailable for maintenance for part of Wednesday mornings.
Clicking on the link to CHEM 102 - General Chemistry I - Fall 2011 - Section GL1 brings you to the
Compass homepage for this section.
On the right hand side you see three icons.
The Lecture index takes you to the list of topic-of-the-day for each day in the course. You
can click on any of these to see the reading and homework assignments. There are also
extra problems with answers to help you master the topic. After lectures on Wednesdays
and Fridays, you'll find a brief video with key points from class.
This link takes you to the the most current material. Be sure to read this before coming to
class.
There are specific things you should be able to do and concepts you should be able to
explain by the end of each week. The goals page will help you review these to prepare
for quizzes or exams.
On the bottom you see three more icons.
The syllabus includes information you need about course requirements and grading. It is
important that you read this.
The discussion forum is a place to ask and answer questions.
This icon takes you to the next online homework assignment.
On-line Homework
Prior to class on Wednesday and Friday you will have a set of online homework questions. This usually
consist of 5-6 multiple choice questions based on your reading assignment. You will get full credit if you
answer at least half of them correctly. Most homework assignments have a 20 minute time limit.
It is important to save your answers. You can change them and re-save at any time before you finish. You
must click the finish button before you leave the page or your answers won't be recored.
The first homework is actually a pretest to help us learn about your prior chemistry and math knowledge.
As long as you complete it, you will get full credit.
Requirements and Grading
To successfully master the concepts in this course, you must come to every class prepared to learn. The
required reading and homework questions will take you about one hour before each class meeting. There
are no excused absences but, because everyone occasionally gets sick or has a family emergency, you can
miss a week of lecture/discussion without penalty. If you are an athlete on a UI team, please bring me
your letter and plan to do the required work ahead of any away game.
Required Materials
1. Model Kit: You will use the foundation molecular model kit (Indigo Instruments) frequently in class
and for homework. This is required. These kits are inexpensive at about $15 and available in the Illini
Union Bookstore.
2. Textbook: No specific textbook is required. You should buy a copy of a standard general chemistry
book (a used one is fine). I will provide information on the sections of Zumdahl's "Chemistry" 7th
edition and 8th edition that relate to each day's topic. If you have another textbook, simply use its
index to find the appropriate section.
Assessments
Your grade will be based on the percentage of total points from quizzes, homework, classwork, and
examinations.
1. There is a 10 minute, 10 point quiz every Monday when there is no exam. We will drop the lowest 2
quiz scores but you can't make up quizzes you miss.
2. There is a homework assignment due every Wednesday and Friday throughout the semester.
Homework has two parts: (a) a concept map based on the key ideas of the assigned reading and (b)
homework questions that are either online or on paper. Each part is worth 1 point. Concept maps are
due at the beginning of class and electronic homework is due at 2 PM on class days.
3. During every class and discussion section, you will work with the other students in your group on
problems that extend your understanding of the day's topic. Some classwork will be graded and others
will be judged on completion. Each classwork is worth 2 points.
4. There will be four mid-term examinations and a final examination. The first three mid-term
examinations will be worth 75 points each. The fourth covers a shorter period and is worth 40 points.
The final examination is worth 100 points. All examinations are cumulative. If you miss a midterm
examination, you may take a make-up exam at 10 AM on the following Saturday.
Final Grade
Grades will be based on the percentage of total points by the end of the semester. In the gradebook you
will see a running total of all your points and the total possible points.
To find your percentage of total points:
1. Adjust the total possible points by
(a) subtracting 2 points for any classwork you've missed up to 8 points total
(b) subtracting 2 points for any homework you've missed up to 4 points
(c) subtracting 10 points for any quiz you've missed up to 20 points
2. Divide your total by your adjusted possible total and multiply by 100